Research Assistant

Description

Company Overview

EVITARUS (the “Company”) is a market and public opinion research firm that delivers actionable data and strategic advice to political, policy, and private decision makers. We conduct methodologically rigorous research on behalf of stakeholders seeking to understand the opinions, attitudes, and experiences of key constituencies and populations of interest.

Job Summary 

The Research Assistant works collaboratively with the Company's team to support and facilitate high quality opinion and market research to inform client decision making in public policy, social marketing, campaigns, advocacy, and corporate public affairs. This includes executing tasks related to quantitative and qualitative research implementation, thematic and textual analysis, development of research deliverables, memoranda, and reporting, as well as other aspects of the research process.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

Utilizing an interdisciplinary skill set under the direction of researchers, develop, assist, and provide timely support and deliverables for research, including:

• Work collaboratively with all Staff to facilitate, assist, and support, as needed, research projects, including development of research instruments, memos, spreadsheets, presentations, documents, and logistics execution for research projects.
• Stay abreast of, and write briefing memos and literature reviews, on pertinent political, business, and public policy issues, including changes in the local, state, federal, and international political and economic landscapes. Cultivate knowledge and capabilities involving the same.
• Conduct background research, perform literature reviews, and write memoranda to inform research design and research instruments.
• Review, transcribe, and take notes for live and recorded meetings, webinars, and research. 
• Assist with programming and testing of research instruments.
• Observe and monitor data collection and assist with data programming and processing, data crosstabulation, analysis, and reporting. 
• Prepare focus group materials, qualitative research audio and video recordings, and transcripts.
• Review and analyze textual data for qualitative research projects.
• Create codebooks for opinion and market research studies, including verbatim survey responses and qualitative opinion data.
• Observe and attend in-person and virtual focus groups, interviews, meetings, presentations of research results, and client briefings.
• Assist with the development of key findings and strategic recommendations, memoranda, and reports based upon research results.
• Develop and assist with research reports, including memoranda, presentations, data visualizations, white papers, and academic articles.
• Edit and proofread documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
• Assist with logistics execution for research projects.
• Assist Research Staff.

Requirements

Required Education and Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, Psychology, or Sociology.
• Coursework or experience in research methods, statistics, and/or data analysis. 
• Coursework in African American studies is desirable. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Office 365 tools.
• Experience working with survey applications, such as Qualtrics, is desirable.
• Familiarity with R or similar programming languages, is desirable.
• Advanced working knowledge of American politics, public policy, and quantitative and/or qualitative research.
• Prior internship or work experience in public opinion research, political campaigns, public relations, political communications, or a related field is desirable.
• 0-3 years of work experience post-graduation in public opinion research or public policy.

Required Skills, Qualifications, and Attributes

• Strong character and integrity. Commitment to producing high quality work.
• Hard-working, detail-oriented, highly collaborative, creative, and proactive. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Proficient working with quantitative data.
• Bilingual, including any certifications, is desirable.
• Excellent time management skills. Proven ability to work with speed and accuracy across multiple projects/assignments, simultaneously, on compressed timelines. Ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent task and project management skills. Ability to prioritize tasks appropriately. Ability to function well in a fast-paced, fluid, and challenging environment. 
• Ability to work both independently, and as a part of a dynamic virtual team environment. 
• Ability to work in a structured office environment, remotely, and a mix of both (a hybrid environment). 
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, customer service, and communication skills. 
• Experience with public speaking is desirable.
• A strong commitment to self-improvement and training.

Work Environment 

The Company maintains a collaborative, connected, and professional workplace. At this time, work is conducted in a hybrid environment, including in-person and remote. Synchronous online and asynchronous tasks and activities, communication, and other forms of engagement are included. The work environment is fast-paced, fluid, and challenging. 

The following are required: 

• Engage in work utilizing computer and telephone for extended periods of time.
• Participate, in-person and online, in synchronous and asynchronous meetings, communication, and work.
• Work evening and weekend hours, as needed, based upon Company needs.
• Adhere, at all times, to the Company’s Employee Handbook and Policies and Procedures.

Essential Physical Requirements of the Job:

The environmental factors and/or physical requirements of this position include the following:

• Ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to climb and descend multiple flights of stairs, visit other locations; and the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 0-30 pounds. 
• Proficient hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and ability to use a computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, computer accessories, and office tools and supplies. 
• Ability and willingness to remain in one position for long periods of screen use, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear both in-person and over devices. 
• Interact in close spaces, and frequently, with other employees, client, vendors, partners, and guests. 
• Work in an office environment with artificial light and building-managed air/airflow.

FLSA Status: This is a non-exempt position, full-time position that requires an interdisciplinary skill set. 

At-Will Employment

Employment is “At-Will.” Employees have the right to terminate their employment/business relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, and EVITARUS has the same right. The Company, in its sole discretion, may change the job duties, responsibilities and assignments of any position, at any time. At all times, job performance, attendance, attitude, and overall interest in the job will be assessed. Employees who fail to demonstrate the expected commitment, performance and attitude may be terminated at any time. 

90-Day Introductory Period

The first ninety (90) days of employment is an introductory, or probationary, period. At the end of the first ninety (90) days, job performance, attendance, attitude, and overall interest in the job will be assessed. Employees who fail to demonstrate the expected commitment, performance, and attitude may be terminated at any time, including during the introductory period. Completion of the introductory period does not change or alter the “At-Will” employment status. Employees will continue to have the right to terminate their employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, and the Company has the same right. The Company, in its sole discretion, may change the job duties, responsibilities, and assignments of any position, at any time.

Employment Authorization

All employees must demonstrate authorization to work in the United States within three days of hire.

EEO Statement

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.